Skin science article
Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores. What's inside Key Ingredients No key ingredients Benefits Concern
Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser
This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate
Coco-Betaine
Potassium Lactate
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Sodium Citrate
Lactic Acid
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Glycerin
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Ormenis Multicaulis Oil
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Carum Petroselinum Seed Oil
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Methylisothiazolinone
Linalool
Limonene
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate, Coco-Betaine, Potassium Lactate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Citrate, Lactic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Ormenis Multicaulis Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Carum Petroselinum Seed Oil, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Linalool, Limonene
Salicylic Acid
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Arginine
Butylene Glycol
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Panthenol
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Phenoxyethanol
Caprylyl Glycol
Chlorphenesin
Salicylic Acid, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin
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Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!